Top 15 things I've learned as a beginner

[rock]

Hubris is the bonsai killer.

...but Humus is a bonsai thriller

 

[Tona]

Interesting analogy Vance. Thanks for saying it. There are a few of those types in my club.

 

[goosetown]

This is my favorite thing I've read in the Forums so far. You made my day.

Thanks to the great thoughts from everyone - all the stuff I've been thinking/experiencing and then some. As some have said, the most fun thing about bonsaiing is that you just never stop learning.

i've learned that the north american grey squirrel has no respect for timeless beauty and good taper and thinks my trees are taking up valuable dirt space for nuts.

 

[milehigh_7]

In all seriousness #1 on my list is to start with the best stuff you can get your hands on. Look often and buy seldom. I now have a few that I believe will be pretty good in my lifetime. The hobby of collecting trees is real fun and propagating is also very fun but just not the same as looking at something that really might look seriously good in a pot one day.

 

[Poink88]

In all seriousness #1 on my list is to start with the best stuff you can get your hands on. Look often and buy seldom. I now have a few that I believe will be pretty good in my lifetime. The hobby of collecting trees is real fun and propagating is also very fun but just not the same as looking at something that really might look seriously good in a pot one day.

To add, sometimes, the best part of the tree is hidden.

There are many in my collection that I initially wanted to walk away from (the azalea, a few boxwood and several ilex)...only to find later that the hidden base (trunk and nebari) is many times nicer.

Also, with my buying capability (budget)...I cannot possibly buy any that is close to what I collected for free. Good free material is out there, you just have to find it and be willing to invest time & effort to get it.

 

[Paradox]

During my very short one year in training, so far I have learned:

#1 Patience is the key to success
#2. Learning and striving to keep the tree alive comes before learning how to make it into a bonsai
#3. Timing is everything. Trees move in seasons not days or weeks.
#4 Sometimes doing nothing is better than doing something.
#5. I have a lot more to learn

 

[JudyB]

I will second on that #5 paradox...

 

[Vance Wood]

In all seriousness #1 on my list is to start with the best stuff you can get your hands on. Look often and buy seldom. I now have a few that I believe will be pretty good in my lifetime. The hobby of collecting trees is real fun and propagating is also very fun but just not the same as looking at something that really might look seriously good in a pot one day.

Sometimes; with beginners, knowing good material, good species, and the combination of the two is a battle in itself that takes time to figure out.